Jackets, at times, were issued ‘when needed’, but from June 1862 onwards this changed dramatically. At that time the bulk of the ANV were issued shell jackets, many manufactured from English wool. The Richmond Clothing Bureau stated this, soldier’s memoirs mention it and surviving clothing requisition forms confirm it. For example the 3rd SC Infantry received 686 shell jackets in July 1862, described in great detail by a SC colonel.Other huge issues of shell jackets took place en-mass in October 62, March 63, June 63, July 63, December 63 , and so on up until the end of the war. The clothing requisition forms for the Texas Brigade in 1862 clearly show ‘jackets’ being issued as opposed to ‘coats’ .
As to NC being frugal with their issue of jackets, again I’m afraid you’re quite wrong. For example the 25th NC received the following... March 12th 62...115 Uniform coats, May 12th 62...928 jackets, Dec 4th 62...424 jackets, June 63...411 jackets, Sept 63... 66 jackets, Dec 63...250 jackets. The 49th NC is another very typical example June 62...997 jackets, Nov 62...278 jackets, Feb 63...199 jackets, July 1st 63...242 jackets. The 25th NC received 934 jackets on June 8th 62 plus a further 437 in October of the same year. The 35th were issued 771 in June 62,. The 15th NC 466 jackets. The list is endless.
By May and June 1863 the figures were truly outstanding. These four examples will give you some idea of the vast quantities of jackets being issued...11th NC...789 jackets, 43rd NC...655 jackets, 47th NC...857 jackets, 53rd NC ...850 jackets. Further details can be found in my book ‘Never in Rags’ and my forthcoming work ‘Confederate Uniforms at Antietam’.